Readers are always nice, as is feedback. :>
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4978260/1/ is also where you can find it.
Wokovu: Kovu’s Journey
Chapter 1: The Peace the Evening Brings
The sun had barely set over the Serengeti; twinkling stars had appeared through wispy, ethereal clouds…it was a night not unlike most others. It was serene and calm, a storybook setting.
Out of this surreal background rose Pride Rock, a symbolic cornerstone of the savanna known as the Pride Lands. As the clouds were low that evening, the top of the massive rock structure was extending into the clouds, giving off the impression that the formation was taller than it actually was…not, of course, that Pride Rock was by any means a short structure.
A lone lion stood at the promontory of the Rock that hung out over the ground, his dark mane quivering in the light breeze of the evening. Many fellow lions and lionesses had stood in that very spot…including himself, just a small time prior. Days had passed since the Outlanders had joined the Pridelanders, and slowly, order had been restored to the area. And yet, even then, when one might imagine that all would be right, Kovu was not content.
He was restless, though at first glance one might not know it. He stared straight ahead, off into the distance, where far away the sky was slightly lightened, a swirl of pink and yellow due to the sun’s recent setting. Kovu, it seemed, was not admiring the intrinsic beauty of this tapestry of color…something more was on his mind.
Kovu knew in his heart that not all was well. The quarrel had seemingly been ended by the death of his mother; the Outlanders had joined the Pridelanders and were one once more…and Kovu had faithfully believed this was true at first. But when Vitani came to confide in him one night what she had witnessed, what she knew… it was then that Kovu realized his misfortune, and that the Pride…especially Simba…was in grave danger.
The question was how to tell them.
Surely he would be questioned. Surely he would be ridiculed, looked down on. He had worked hard to gain conviction in the eyes of Simba and the rest of the Pride; and now, though it was not (and had not been) in his direct control, the trust he was given could very well be lost.
It had been Zira’s final act of planning, a backup in case the Outlanders were to fail in their attempted coup of the Pride Lands. Kovu sighed; he should have seen this coming, should have known that this was imminent. His mother may have been a bit of a brute, but she was clever, and if her hate truly was at the level it had been at, she would have taken every precaution necessary to ensure that Simba would be vanquished and the Pride Lands would be under Outlander control…even if she died before realizing her dream.
Kovu hung his head low to the ground. This was on him to rectify now. Vitani had come to him because she was scared for the possible outcome; the other former Outlanders, she said, were precisely the same way. Kovu now was as well, and cursed his ignorance…he should have noticed that a lioness was unaccounted for when they joined up at the Pride Lands.
He had never really known Jasusi…no one did. She was almost always solitary, more of an introvert than any of them had known. Often times, she did not even accompany the other lionesses on hunts or on other business. But Kovu did know one thing, and this was why Vitani came to him with her worries…Jasusi had been one of Zira’s favorites.
Vitani had been, in effect, Zira’s right-hand lion when she had come of age. But according to the other lionesses, though it was never explicitly stated, Jasusi had been in this position before the coming of Vitani. Not that Jasusi harbored any ill will toward Vitani…it was mentioned that she did not, for Jasusi was still very vital to Zira’s success, and more loyal to her than any of the other lionesses were combined. This was chalked up to the story that Jasusi had been rescued by Zira from almost certain death when she was a cub. This was not too long after the time Nuka had been born, only furthering Zira’s firm avoidance of her firstborn son. Jasusi was kept in the Outlands, where they of course later resided after their banishment from the Pride Lands. This explained Zira’s long absences from Pride Rock throughout the day, furthering Nuka’s solitude. Scar had approved of this. All was well in his eyes; yet another lion that could be used for combat in his name when the time came to take over the throne was always a welcome addition.
Jasusi was a scout, an emissary, a spy. Zira would often have her going on reconnaissance trips and meeting with outsiders from other parts of the Serengeti, which explained her long absences and periods (sometimes weeks at a time) during which she was never seen. Thus, it was only natural that she would do what she did in the end.
She was with them before the battle with Simba and the other Pridelanders, but not for long. Vitani witnessed her mother whispering fleetingly to Jasusi, who nodded in affirmation and slunk out of site. She had not returned for the duration of the fight and had not been seen since.
It was only natural, said Vitani, that Zira had instructed Jasusi to find help should her plan fail.
This is what frightened Vitani. She did not have the slightest idea as to where Jasusi had gone, but she did recall as a cub meeting with leaders from far off prides with her mother. Zira would occasionally speak of such leaders in the Outlands, but not much was mentioned of real interest…Vitani could not even remember any of their names. But she did know this (as did Kovu)…the Outlands had not been the only pride in Africa that disliked the Pride Lands.’
Kovu’s fur bristled in the continuing breeze, which had picked up in intensity since he had first gone out to the promontory. The sky was as black it would be now; he estimated that he had been outside for quite some time. And yet, thinking about his situation had not helped him one bit.
He looked to the stars. Kiara had said that the kings of the past were always looking down on them, protecting them. But he was not a king, at least not yet…was he truly protected? He questioned if he was an exception to this; he had been born of relative darkness and had had darkness in his heart for as long as he could remember. In fact, it was still there…he could feel it. It was distant, sure, and easily suppressed… but its very existence haunted him, and he trembled at the notion that he would not be protected. Surely the kings did not care about him. He was an outsider, no matter how much he wanted to hide it.
If Jasusi was able to get to the other prides, they could very well be on their way to the Pride Lands. Someone would have to try to stop them; their numbers very well could outnumber Simba’s Pride. If someone could convince them to hold back their forces, then perhaps the Pride would be spared. As Kovu had been Scar’s chosen heir, perchance he could somehow convince them to back off…granted, of course, that Jasusi had not informed them of his sedition.
This was on him, or so he led himself to believe. Kovu could not bear to lose the trust of the Pride once more…for instance, if he went to Simba and confided in him this, what if Simba believed he and the other lionesses to still be carrying out their plan to take over the Pride Lands, that Zira was a mere martyr and puppet for their cause? Or if Kovu simply did not tell them and the other prides arrived… well, it could only get worse from there.
And so, Kovu decided, he would leave the Pride Lands. He would find the other prides…somehow, though he did not know their exact locations. It was the least he could do.
He grimaced. Kiara would not be happy. But Kiara, if she was told, would almost certainly want to go with him, and he could not risk her safety, not anymore.
He would tell Vitani in the morning. They could devise a plan, or at least a cover for him while he was gone. He would then depart the following evening, while the rest of the Pride was asleep. It would have to work. It was their only hope, and as the now-heir to the throne of the Pride Lands, it was the least he could do to show his loyalty.
There was a rustling behind him, from inside the cave. Kovu turned, facing Kiara for the first time that evening as she emerged from the cave. Kovu, thinking of his plan transiently, flashed a forced grin. “Hi.”
“What are you still doing out here?” Kiara questioned, frowning.
“Oh, you know… it’s a good night for star viewing.”
“A rather cloudy one, I’d say,” she nuzzled his neck. “I wish you’d come inside… it’s late.”
Kovu grunted and returned the affection. “Yeah… yeah, I’ll be right in. Hakuna Matata, now.” He flashed another grin.
Kiara smiled back, nodded, and turned to go back inside the cave. When she was about halfway there, she paused, and turned back around. “Kovu?”
“Hm?”
“If there was something wrong, you’d tell me… right?”
Kovu nodded. “I would. I tell you everything.” Kiara smirked, gave a nod back and slunk back inside. Her mate glanced at the starry sky one last time, exhaled, and followed Kiara, still preoccupied about the days ahead.
END CHAPTER
Hope you like? :>
